Rotary valve assembly for fluid filtration system

ABSTRACT

A valve assembly is disclosed for use in conjunction with a replaceable filter cartridge system. The valve assembly includes a head member having an interior valve chamber defining a central axis, and inlet and outlet passages extending parallel to and communicating with the interior valve chamber. The valve assembly further includes a valve member having an inlet path and an outlet path, adapted for rotation within the interior valve chamber of the head member between a filter position wherein the inlet path of the valve member is in communication with the inlet passage of the head member and a bypass position wherein the inlet path of the valve member is out of communication with the inlet passage of the head member. The valve assembly further includes a seal member seated in an upper surface of the valve member and positioned to seal against an opposing surface of the interior valve chamber. The seal member sealingly isolates untreated and treated fluid streams flowing through the inlet and outlet paths of the valve member, respectively, when the valve member is in the filter position, and sealingly isolates the inlet and outlet passages of the head member from the atmosphere when the valve member is in the bypass position to permit fluid to flow therebetween.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.10/734,498 filed Dec. 12, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 10/208,492 filed Jul. 30, 2002, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/553,982 filed Apr. 20,2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,458,269, the disclosure of each is herebyincorporated by reference to the extent not inconsistent with thepresent application.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to fluid filtration devices, and moreparticularly, to a filter assembly having a keyed lockout system toensure replacement filter cartridge compatibility, and to a rotary valveassembly configured to operate in a filter mode when the filtercartridge is installed in the system and a by-pass mode when the filtercartridge is removed from the system.

Commercial vending machines for dispensing liquids such as coffee orsoft drinks are wide spread in our society. It is common to filterliquids such as water in these vending machines before they aredispensed by circulating the water through an appropriate filter. It isalso commonplace to find filtering devices in consumer appliances suchas refrigerators for filtering drinking water and for ice production.Commercial and domestic filtering devices of this type have a limiteduseful life and require frequent replacement. Examples of prior artreplaceable filtering devices of this type are disclosed in commonlyassigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,716 to Petrucci et al. and U.S. Pat. No.4,806,240 to Giordano et al.

In most instances, the replaceable filters employed in commercial andconsumer appliances are manufactured in accordance with particulardesign specifications and performance parameters provided by theappliance manufacturer. In many cases, the filter media used in suchfilters consists of a proprietary material or is manufactured using aproprietary process. Thus, appliance manufactures often recommend thatreplacement cartridges be purchased from the original equipment providerso as to ensure the integrity and proper operation of the filteringsystem.

Oftentimes, the owner of a household appliance or the maintenancepersonnel servicing a commercial vending machine is not aware of thereplacement filter specifications and operating parameters of thefiltering system. Consequently, they unknowingly jeopardize theintegrity of the filtration system by replacing a used filter with aninferior or incompatible replacement filter supplied by an after-marketmanufacturer. This problem has also been encountered by automotivefilter manufacturers, as inferior replacement fuel filters arefrequently installed in a vehicle without the knowledge of the vehicleowner or operator.

One solution to this problem is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,797 toJanik, wherein a key system is provided to ensure replacement cartridgecompatibility for axially mounted fuel filters with threaded retainingcollars. The key system employs a unique matrix of axially projectingkeys formed in a base for axially receiving a filter cartridge, and acorresponding matrix of slots formed in a compatible cartridge, so thatfor a given compatible cartridge and base, the keys are interlockable inthe slots to securely lock the cartridge in the base. For eachnon-compatible cartridge and base, the base keys are not-mateable withthe cartridge slots and interfere with the mounting of the cartridge tothe base. A similar key system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,829to Janik, which includes a set of angularly spaced arcuate projectionsthat protrude radially from the cylindrical side wall of the fuel filtercartridge to mate with corresponding spaced apart recesses in the basewhen the cartridge is axially pushed into the base. U.S. Pat. No.5,837,137 to Janik discloses yet another key system for an axiallymounted fuel filter with a threaded retaining collar.

While such prior art key systems are suitable for use in conjunctionwith axially mountable automotive fuel filters having threaded retainingcollars, they are not easily adapted for use in conjunction withconsumer and industrial water filtration systems wherein the filtercartridge is provided with a set of cam lugs configured to facilitaterotatable mounting of the cartridge to a base or supporting structure.Examples of prior art filter cartridges having lugged engagementportions are disclosed in the Petrucci et al. and Giordano et al.patents discussed hereinabove, and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,857,189 and4,956,086 to Thomsen et al. It would beneficial to provide a key systemfor replaceable filter cartridges having lugged mounting systems.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is directed to a unique filter assembly forensuring replacement cartridge compatibility in filtration systemshaving replaceable filter cartridges with lugged mounting systems. Inaccordance with one representative preferred representative embodimentof the present disclosure, the filter assembly comprises a cartridgemember, which includes a body portion for enclosing filter media and aneck portion depending therefrom. The neck portion of the cartridgeincludes at least one inlet port for directing unfiltered fluid into thebody portion and at least one outlet port for directing filtered fluidout of the body portion. The neck also has at least two lugs dependingradially outwardly therefrom, wherein at least one lug defines a keyedengagement surface, a leading inclined cam surface and a trailinginclined cam surface. Preferably, the keyed engagement surface is on anaxially facing surface of the at least one lug.

In another representative, preferred embodiment, the neck portion of thecartridge member includes first and second axially facing surfaces. Thefirst axially facing surface has at least one inlet port formed thereinand the second axially facing surface has at least one outlet portformed therein.

Still further, it is envisioned that each lug defines a keyed engagementsurface, a leading inclined cam surface and a trailing inclined camsurface. Still further, it is envisioned that the keyed engagementsurface defined on each lug of the cartridge member is substantiallysimilar. Alternatively, the keyed engagement surface defined on each lugof the cartridge member can be different.

The representative filter assembly may further include a head memberwhich defines an axial chamber and includes inlet and outlet passagesthat communicate with the chamber. A valve member is rotatably disposedwithin the axial chamber of the head member and defines an axial cavityfor receiving the neck portion of the cartridge member to facilitatecommunication between the inlet and outlet passages of the head memberand the inlet and outlet ports of the neck portion. The cavity formed inthe valve member defines at least one reception slot, which includes asurface for mating with the keyed engagement surface formed on thelug(s). The reception slot(s) further defines at least one inclinedsurface for interacting with the trailing inclined cam surface formed onthe lug(s) to facilitate engagement and/or disengagement of thecartridge member with the axial cavity of the valve member.

The representative filter assembly may further include a support memberwhich is disposed between the head member and the cartridge member andincludes an aperture for receiving the neck portion of the cartridgemember. The aperture has an inner surface that defines at least two camramps for interacting with the leading inclined cam surface formed onthe lug(s) to facilitate engagement of the lug(s) of the cartridgemember with the support member.

In another representative, preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the neck portion of the cartridge member has a pair ofdiametrically opposed lugs. Alternatively, the neck portion of thecartridge member has three circumferentially spaced apart lugs. In astill further representative embodiment, the neck portion of thecartridge member has first and second pairs of diametrically opposedlugs, wherein the first pair of lugs is disposed at a first height onthe neck portion and the second pair of lugs is disposed at a secondheight on the neck portion.

The present disclosure is also directed to a representative filtercartridge, which includes a body portion and a neck portion. The bodyportion of the cartridge encloses filter media for filtering a fluid,which is passed therethrough. The neck portion communicates with thebody portion and includes an inlet port for directing unfiltered fluidinto the body portion and at least one outlet port for directingfiltered fluid out of the body portion. The neck portion, presentlypreferably, has at least two lugs, which depend radially outwardlytherefrom, wherein at least one lug defines a keyed engagement surface,a leading inclined cam surface and a trailing inclined cam surface. Thekeyed engagement surface enables the cartridge to mate with a compatiblereception assembly and the trailing inclined cam surface facilitatingthe mating therewith.

In an alternative representative embodiment of the present disclosure,each lug defines a keyed engagement surface, a leading inclined camsurface and a trailing inclined cam surface. Still further, it isenvisioned that the keyed engagement surfaces defined on each lug of thecartridge member can be substantially similar or alternatively, they canbe different.

Presently preferably, the neck portion of the cartridge member has apair of diametrically opposed lugs. Alternatively, the neck portion ofthe cartridge member has three circumferentially spaced apart lugs. In astill further representative embodiment, the neck portion of thecartridge member has first and second pairs of diametrically opposedlugs, wherein the first pair of lugs is disposed at a first height onthe neck portion and the second pair of lugs is disposed at a secondheight on the neck portion.

The present disclosure is also directed to a filter cartridge, whichincludes a body portion for enclosing filter media for filtering a fluidand a neck portion which communicates with the body portion. The neckportion includes at least one axial inlet port for directing unfilteredfluid into the body portion, at least one axial outlet port fordirecting filtered fluid out of the body portion and a neck portionhaving at least two lugs depending radially outwardly therefrom.

Presently preferably, the at least one lug defines a keyed engagementsurface, a leading inclined cam surface and a trailing inclined camsurface, the keyed engagement surface enabling the cartridge to matewith a compatible reception assembly.

It is envisioned that the neck portion has first and secondcircumferential grooves formed therein which are adapted and configuredfor receiving an O-ring seal. The first circumferential groove ispositioned between the at least one inlet port of the neck member andthe body portion and the second circumferential groove is positionedbetween the at least one inlet port and the at least one outlet port.Alternatively, it is understood that the positions of the at least oneinlet port and the at least one outlet port could be reversed and thefilter cartridge would remain operative.

The present disclosure is also directed to a representative filterassembly, which includes a replaceable cartridge, a head member, a valveand a support structure. The cartridge has a body portion for enclosingfilter media and a neck portion that includes at least one axiallyextending inlet port for directing unfiltered fluid into the bodyportion and at least one axially extending outlet port for directingfiltered fluid out of the body portion. The neck portion has at leasttwo lugs depending radially outwardly therefrom, the at least one lugdefining a keyed engagement surface, a leading inclined cam surface anda trailing inclined cam surface.

The present disclosure is also directed to a unique valve assembly foruse in conjunction with a replaceable filter cartridge. The valveassembly includes a head member having an interior valve chamberdefining a central axis, and inlet and outlet passages extendingparallel to and communicating with the interior valve chamber. The valveassembly further includes a valve member having an inlet path and anoutlet path, and adapted for rotation within the interior valve chamberof the head member between a filter position and a bypass position. Inthe filter position, the inlet path of the valve member is in fluidcommunication with the inlet passage of the head member and the outletpath of the valve member is in fluid communication with the outletpassage of the head member. In the bypass position, the inlet path ofthe valve member is out of fluid communication with the inlet passage ofthe head member and the outlet path of the valve member is out of fluidcommunication with the outlet passage of the head member. However, whenthe valve member is in the bypass position, the inlet and outletpassages of the head member remain in communication, allowing untreatedfluid to flow therebetween.

The valve assembly further includes a seal member seated in an uppersurface of the valve member and positioned to seal against an opposingsurface of the interior valve chamber. The seal member includes firstand second seal portions dimensioned and configured to sealingly isolatethe inlet path and outlet path of the valve member, respectively, whenthe valve member is in the filter position. The valve member alsoincludes third and fourth seal portions dimensioned and configured tosealingly isolate the inlet passage and outlet passage of the headmember from the atmosphere, respectively, when the valve member is inthe bypass position.

These and other unique features of the present disclosure and the methodof constructing the same will become more readily apparent from thefollowing description of the drawings taken in conjunction with thedetailed description of the representative preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that those having ordinary skill in the art to which the presentdisclosure appertains will more readily understand how to construct anduse the filter cartridge assembly of the present disclosure, referencemay be had to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a filter assembly constructed inaccordance with a representative preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the representative filterassembly of FIG. 1 with parts separated for ease of illustration;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the representative upperportion of the representative filter assembly of FIG. 1 including therepresentative filter cartridge, representative support bracket andrepresentative head member;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the representative support bracketshown in FIG. 3 taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 illustrating therepresentative ramped camming surface formed thereon;

FIG. 5 is bottom end view of the representative valve member shown inFIG. 3 as viewed along line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the representative valve member of FIG.3, with a representative portion of the outer wall broken away toillustrate representative interior surface features thereof;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the representative valve member of FIG.3, with a representative portion of the outer wall broken away androtated 180° from the position shown in FIG. 6 to illustraterepresentative interior surface features thereof;

FIG. 8 is an elevational view of the representative upper portion of thefilter cartridge and the valve member of FIG. 3, with the representativeinterlocking features thereof in axial alignment to facilitate theengagement therebetween;

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of the representative upper portion of therepresentative filter cartridge and the representative head member ofFIG. 3, rotated 180° from the position shown in FIG. 8, with therepresentative interlocking features thereof in axial alignment tofacilitate the engagement therebetween;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the representative upper portion of therepresentative filter assembly of the present disclosure, with therepresentative wall of the representative head and representative valvemembers broken away to illustrate the initial position of therepresentative keyed camming lug of the representative filter relativeto the representative ramped camming surface of the representativebracket member, wherein the representative valve assembly with which therepresentative head member is associated is closed to flow;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the representative upper portion of therepresentative filter assembly of the present disclosure, with therepresentative wall of the representative head member broken away toillustrate the final position of the representative keyed camming lug ofthe representative filter relative to the representative ramped cammingsurface of the representative bracket member, wherein the representativevalve assembly with which the representative head member is associatedis open to flow;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the representative cylindrical neckportion of the representative filter cartridge of the presentdisclosure, which includes camming lugs having a skeleton key formation;

FIGS. 13-17 illustrate a variety of different key configurationsprovided on the camming lugs formed on the representative cylindricalneck portion of the representative filter cartridge of the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 18-20 illustrate each of the available key patterns for arepresentative camming lug having a maximum of four teeth positions;

FIGS. 21-27 illustrate each of the available key patterns for arepresentative camming lug having a maximum of five teeth positions;

FIGS. 28-40 illustrate each of the available key patterns for arepresentative camming lug having a maximum of six teeth positions;

FIG. 41 is a top plan view of the neck portion of a representativefilter cartridge constructed in accordance with a preferredrepresentative embodiment of the present disclosure which includes threecircumferentially representative spaced camming lugs each having adifferent key formation thereon;

FIG. 42 is a side elevational view of the representative neck portion ofthe representative filter cartridge of FIG. 41, taken along line 42-42;

FIG. 43 is a side elevational view of the representative neck portion ofthe representative filter cartridge of FIG. 41, rotated 120° from theview shown in FIG. 42;

FIG. 44 is a side elevational view of the representative neck portion ofthe representative filter cartridge of FIG. 41, rotated 120° from theview shown in FIG. 43;

FIG. 45 is a top plan view of the representative neck portion of arepresentative filter cartridge constructed in accordance with apreferred representative embodiment of the present disclosure whichincludes two sets of diametrically opposed camming lugs positioned attwo different levels on the representative neck portion of thecartridge;

FIG. 46 is a side elevational view of the representative neck portion ofthe representative filter cartridge of FIG. 45, taken along line 46-46;

FIG. 47 is a side elevational view of the representative neck portion ofthe representative filter cartridge of FIG. 45, rotated 90° from theview shown in FIG. 46;

FIG. 48 is a side elevational view of the representative neck portion ofthe representative filter cartridge of FIG. 45, rotated 90° from theview shown in FIG. 47;

FIG. 49 is a side elevational view of the representative neck portion ofthe representative filter cartridge of FIG. 45, rotated 90° from theview shown in FIG. 48;

FIG. 50 is a side elevational view in cross-section, of anotherrepresentative filter assembly constructed in accordance with apreferred representative embodiment of the present disclosure wherein arepresentative ball valve is positioned within the assembly to inhibitthe representative egress of fluid from the system when the filtercartridge is removed from the assembly, with the ball valve shown in anopen position;

FIG. 51 is a side elevational view in cross-section, of therepresentative filter assembly of FIG. 50 with the ball valve shown in aclosed position as the representative filter cartridge is removed fromthe assembly;

FIG. 52 is an exploded perspective view of another representative filterassembly constructed in accordance with a representative preferredembodiment of the present disclosure with the parts thereof separatedfor ease of illustration, including an annular insert in the form of akey ring having recesses designed to mate with corresponding surfacefeatures on the keyed cam lugs of a replacement filter cartridge;

FIG. 53 is a perspective view of the representative filter assembly ofthe FIG. 52 with the head portion in cross-section to illustrate theinterior structure thereof;

FIG. 54 is an exploded perspective view of another representative filterassembly constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent disclosure with the parts separated for ease of illustration,which includes a valve member that may be rotated relative to arepresentative head portion of the representative filter assemblybetween an open position wherein fluid is permitted to flow through therepresentative filter assembly and a bypass position whereinunrestricted fluid flows through the filter head from inlet to outlet;

FIG. 55 is a perspective view of the assembled representative filterassembly of FIG. 54;

FIG. 56 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper portion of thereplaceable filter cartridge shown in FIGS. 54-55, illustrating thestructure of the neck portion thereof;

FIG. 57 is an enlarged perspective view of the area designated by thereference number 4 in FIG. 54, illustrating reception structures formedwithin the interior cavity of the valve member and configured forreceiving cam lugs;

FIG. 58 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper portion of therepresentative filter assembly of FIG. 54 illustrating the insertion ofthe representative replaceable filter cartridge into the centralaperture formed in the intermediate support flange;

FIG. 59 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper portion of therepresentative filter assembly of FIG. 54 having a portion of therepresentative head portion and of the representative valve member cutaway for ease of illustration, wherein the representative valve memberis in the “filter” position;

FIG. 60 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper portion of therepresentative filter assembly of FIG. 54 having a portion of the headportion and of the valve member cut away for ease of illustration,wherein the valve member is in the “bypass” position;

FIG. 61 is a cross-sectional view of the upper portion of therepresentative filter assembly of FIGS. 54-60 wherein the replaceablerepresentative filter cartridge assembly is shown engaged within valvemember and the valve member, in turn, is engaged within the headportion;

FIGS. 62-64 are enlarged perspective views of the upper portion of therepresentative filter assembly of FIG. 54 illustrating disengagement ofthe replaceable representative filter cartridge assembly from the valvemember;

FIG. 65 is a perspective view of another filter assembly constructed inaccordance with a representative preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure, which includes a novel rotary valve assembly;

FIG. 66 is an exploded perspective view of the filter assembly of FIG.65 with parts separated for ease of illustration;

FIG. 67 is a top plan view of the valve member shown in FIG. 66,illustrating the novel seal member of the present disclosureaccommodated within a recessed seat defined on the upper surface of thevalve member;

FIG. 68 is a perspective view, in partial cross-section, of the filterassembly of FIG. 65, illustrating the position of the valve member andassociated seal when the valve member is in a filter mode, wherein theuntreated and treated fluid steams flowing through the inlet and outletpaths of the valve member are sealing isolated from one another;

FIG. 69 is a side elevational view taken along line 69-69, illustratingthe flow path of untreated and treated fluid through the valve assemblyand filter cartridge when the valve member is the filter mode;

FIG. 70 is a perspective view, in partial cross-section, of the filterassembly of FIG. 65, illustrating the position of the valve member andassociated seal when the filter cartridge is in a bypass mode, whereinthe inlet and outlet passages of the head member are sealingly isolatedfrom the atmosphere; and

FIG. 71 is a side elevational view taken along line 70-70 when the valvemember is in the bypass mode wherein the inlet and outlet passages ofthe head member remain in fluid communication so that untreated fluidmay continue to flow therebetween.

These and other features of the representative filter assembly of thepresent disclosure will become more readily apparent to those havingordinary skill in the art form the following detailed description of therepresentative preferred embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Referring now to the figures wherein like reference numerals identifysimilar structural elements of the filter assembly of the subjectdisclosure, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 a filter assembly constructedin accordance with a preferred representative embodiment of the subjectdisclosure and designated generally by reference numeral 10. Filterassembly 10 is configured for use in conjunction with a fluid processingsystem that includes an inlet conduit 12 for delivering unfilteredprocess fluid into the filter assembly and an outlet conduit 14 fordelivering filtered process fluid from the filter assembly 10. Filterassembly 10 is preferably mounted to a supporting structure associatedwith the fluid processing system by a bracket 16.

Referring to FIG. 2, filter assembly 10 includes a unique rotary valveassembly 18 that consists of a head portion 20 defining an interiorchamber having an inlet port 22 for communicating with inlet conduit 12and an outlet port 24 for communicating with outlet conduit 14. Rotaryvalve assembly 18 further includes a valve member 26 configured forreception within the interior chamber of head portion 20 in such amanner so as to facilitate rotation of the valve member relative to thehead portion between an open position wherein fluid is permitted to flowthrough the filter assembly and a closed position wherein flow throughthe filter assembly is restricted. (See FIGS. 10-11).

Valve member 26 includes an inlet orifice 32 for communicating with theinlet port 22 of head portion 20 and an outlet orifice 34 forcommunicating with the outlet port 24 of head portion 20. (See FIGS.6-7). The body of valve member 26 includes recesses 36 a and 38 a foraccommodating upper and lower O-ring seals 36 and 38. O-ring seal 36serves to sealingly isolate the inlet flow from the outlet flow withinthe interior chamber of head portion 20 during operation, while O-ringseal 38 prevents leakage to atmosphere.

With continuing reference to FIG. 2, filter assembly 10 further includesa replaceable filter cartridge 40 constructed in accordance with apreferred representative embodiment of the present disclosure. Filterassembly 10 is adapted and configured to ensure that replacementcartridge 40 is compatible with the fluid processing system with whichit is associated. Moreover, as discussed hereinbelow, the filtercartridge 40 and valve portion 26 are provided with keyed matingstructures that ensure compatibility therebetween, and thus prevent theaccidental or intentional installation of an incompatible or inferiorreplacement cartridge, which could jeopardize the integrity of the fluidprocessing system.

Referring to FIG. 3, replaceable filter cartridge 40 includes agenerally cylindrical body portion 42 enclosing filter media forfiltering process fluid. Those skilled in the art will readilyappreciate that any one of a variety of different types of filter mediacould be enclosed within the body portion including, for example,pleated media, micro-fibers or carbon media. An end cap 44 encloses thebody portion 42, and a cylindrical neck portion 46 depends from the endcap 44. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the endcap 44 and body portion 42 can be joined together by sonic welding, spinwelding or other similar methods known in the art. The neck portion 46of filter cartridge 40 is adapted and configured for reception with theinterior cavity of valve member 26 (see FIGS. 6-9) and includes an uppersection 46 a and a lower portion 46 b. As would be understood by thoseskilled in the art, one of a plurality of possible alternativerepresentative embodiments could include a replaceable filter cartridge40 wherein there is no difference in the diameter of the cylindricalbody portion 42 and the cylindrical neck portion 46, thus, there is nodifferentiation between the cylindrical bottom portion 42 and thecylindrical neck portion 46 and, thus, the location of the cam lugs 62and 64 need only be operatively positioned on the replaceable filtercartridge 40 such that the filter cartridge 40 is operatively connectedto the intermediate support flange 70 that depends from mounting bracket16.

The upper section 46 a defines a radial inlet passage 52 for receivingunfiltered process fluid entering the valve member 26 through inletorifice 32 and directing the fluid into the body portion 42 of filtercartridge 40. The upper section 46 a further defines an axial outletpassage 54 for delivering filtered process fluid from the interior ofbody portion 42 to the interior cavity of valve member 26 for egressthrough the outlet orifice 34 into the interior chamber of head portion20. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the inlet andoutlet passages in the neck portion could be reversed such that theinlet flow is axial and the outlet flow is radial. The inlet and outletpassages 52 and 54 are sealingly isolated from one another by an upperO-ring seal 56 positioned at the upper end of neck portion 46. A secondlower O-ring seal 58 is positioned below the radial inlet passage 52 tosealingly engage the neck portion 46 within the interior chamber of thevalve member 26 and prevent the leakage of unfiltered process fluidsfrom filter assembly 10 while in operation.

Referring to FIG. 2 in conjunction with FIG. 3, presently preferably, apair of diametrically opposed inclined cam lugs 62 and 64 projectradially outwardly from the lower section 46 b of neck portion 46. Camlugs 62 and 64 are dimensioned and configured to facilitate rotationalengagement of the filter cartridge within an intermediate support flange70 that depends from mounting bracket 16. As best seen in FIG. 3, acentral aperture 75 extends through support flange 70 for receiving theneck portion 46 of filter cartridge 40. A pair of diametrically opposedcam ramps 72 and 74 project radially into central aperture 75 forinteracting with the inclined lower surfaces of cam lugs 62 and 64. Thecam ramps 72 and 74 are spaced from one another to allow the cam lugs 62and 64 to fit therebetween when the neck portion is extended throughaperture 75 during assembly, and they are inclined along their arclength to facilitate rotational engagement of the filter cartridge withsupport flange 70, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, support flange 70 further includes arecessed seating area 76 defined by annular retaining wall 78 andconfigured to receive and retain the head portion 20 of filter assembly10. Diametrically opposed arcuate retention ribs 82 and 84 projectinwardly from retaining wall 78 to frictionally engage withcorresponding ramped engagement struts 92 and 94 that project radiallyoutwardly from the lower region of head portion 20 when the head portion20 is rotatably engaged within the recessed seating area 76 duringassembly. Stop surfaces 82 a and 84 a are associated with retention ribs82 and 84, respectively, for limiting the movement of head portion 20within seating area 76. In an alternate representative embodiment, thehead portion 20 and support flange 70 may be adapted and configured tocooperate and engage with one another in a manner described hereinbelowwith respect to filter assembly 800 and illustrated in FIGS. 52-53.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the annular retaining wall 78 of supportflange 70 is also configured to accommodate and support a shroud 90,which is configured to house and protect the rotary valve assembly 18 offilter assembly 10. As illustrated, the shroud 90 includes lateralapertures, i.e., aperture 92, for accommodating inlet and outletconduits 12 and 14. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat the configuration of the shroud as well as the way in which it isjoined to the support flange 70 could vary depending upon the nature ofthe operating environment within which the system is employed.

Referring to FIG. 5, in accordance with a presently preferredrepresentative embodiment of the present disclosure, cam lugs 62 and 64are adapted and configured for reception within a pair of correspondingdiametrically opposed reception areas 102 and 104 formed within theinterior cavity 25 of valve member 26. More particularly, the uppersurface of each cam lug 62, 64 is provided with a unique key formationhaving, in this case, a plurality of spaced apart axially projectingteeth that are adapted and configured to engage and mate with acorresponding set of spaced apart recesses formed within the receptionareas of the valve member 26. This mating arrangement is designed toensure replacement cartridge compatibility by only permittingreplacement of a filter cartridge having a keyed surface formation thatcorresponds with the surface features of the reception areas in thevalve member.

In the exemplary representative embodiment of the disclosure illustratedin FIGS. 3-9, the key formation on each cam lug (62, 64) includes threespaced apart teeth (62 a-62 c, 64 a-64 c) and each reception area (102,104) within the valve member 26 includes three corresponding recesses(102 a-102 c, 104 a-104 c) for accommodating the teeth when the neckportion 46 of cartridge 40 is received by valve member 26.

As discussed in greater detail hereinbelow, the number of teeth thatdefine the key formation on each cam lug can vary within the scope ofthis disclosure (see for example FIGS. 18-40), as can the surfacegeometry of the key formation (see for example FIGS. 13-17). In eachinstance, the reception area in the rotary valve member would have acorresponding mating configuration to accommodate the key formationformed on the cam lugs. Furthermore, it is envisioned that the keyconfiguration on one lug could be different from the key configurationof the opposed lug. This will dramatically increase the number ofpossible key combinations available to a filter manufacturer.

Referring to FIG. 10, when a compatible filter cartridge is introducedinto the filter assembly 10 of the subject disclosure, the neck portion46 of the filter cartridge 40 is inserted through the central aperture75 of support flange 70, with the cam lugs 62 and 64 positioned betweenthe diametrically opposed cam ramps 72 and 74. At such a time, the valvemember 26 is in the “off” position to receive the neck portion 46. Thus,the inlet and outlet orifices 32, 34 of valve member 26 are not alignedwith the inlet and outlet ports 42, 44 of head portion 20. Thereupon,the teeth (62 a-62 c, 64 a-64 c) forming the keyed engagement surface ofcam lugs 62 and 64 extend into the corresponding recesses (102 a-102 c,104 a-104 c) of recessed areas 102 and 104 and mate therewith.

Once the neck portion 46 of filter cartridge 40 has been intimatelyengaged within the interior chamber of valve member 26, the cartridgeand valve member may be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction withrespect to the support flange 70 and head portion 20, as illustrated inFIG. 11. Upon rotating filter cartridge 40 in conjunction with valvemember 26, the cam lugs 62, 64 projecting from neck portion 46 translateagainst the cam ramps 72, 74, causing the filter cartridge 40 to movehelically upwardly in an axial direction. As a result, valve member 26is rotated into the “on” or open position, wherein the inlet and outletorifices 32, 34 of the valve member 26 are aligned with the inlet andoutlet ports 42, 44 of head portion 20 to allow fluid to flow throughthe filter assembly 10.

If the cam lugs of a replacement filter cartridge introduced into thesystem are not configured to mate with the reception areas of the valvemember, i.e., if the cam lugs have no keyed surface formation, which maybe indicative of an unauthorized after-market filter cartridge, the camlugs will interfere with and be unable to engage the reception areas inthe valve member. Consequently, because the inclined cam surfaces of thecam lugs 62, 64 will be located below the inclined surfaces of the camramps 72, 74, the cam lugs will be unable to traverse the cam ramps. Asa result, the cam lugs will be unable to effect rotation of the valvemember into the “on” position to permit fluid to flow through theassembly. This will ensure replacement cartridge compatibility bypreventing the use of inferior or unauthorized replacement filtercartridges.

The key formation shown in the exemplary representative embodiment ofFIGS. 3-11, corresponds to the key formation illustrated in FIG. 22,which is selected from a group of key formations having five availabletooth positions. In the exemplary representative embodiment, the first,fourth and fifth teeth are present, while the second and third teeth areabsent. Using the convention wherein the numeral “1” represents thepresence of a tooth in a position of a key formation, and the numeral“0” represents the absence of a tooth in a position of the keyformation, the key formation illustrated in FIGS. 3-11, and 22 may berepresented by the numerical expression (1, 0, 0, 1, 1).

In accordance with a preferred representative embodiment of the subjectdisclosure, there exists a replacement cartridge that is provided withcam lugs having a surface formation that is compatible with a rotaryvalve member regardless of the number of recesses defined within therecessed areas formed therein. A cartridge having a neck portion withdiametrically opposed cam lugs that include such a formation referred toherein as a skeleton key formation, is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 12 andis designated generally by reference numerals 40 and 140 respectively.

Referring to FIG. 12, the cam lugs 162 and 164 of filter cartridge 140includes a skeleton key formation defined by a tooth formation whereinonly the first and fifth tooth positions are filled with teeth (i.e.,teeth 162 a, 162 b). This skeleton key is represented by the numericalexpression (1, 0, 0, 0, 1). It should be understood that, in a fiveposition key formation, the first and fifth position will always befilled, and, conversely, the recessed areas of the valve member willalways have a recess located in the complementary positions.

Table 2 below, sets forth the available tooth combinations for the fiveposition key formation associated with the opposed cam lugs 162 and 164of filter cartridge 140 and illustrated in FIGS. 3-11 and 21-27. Intotal, excluding the skeleton key formation of FIG. 12, there are sevenavailable tooth configurations for a five position key formation. Table1 below sets forth the available tooth configurations for the fourposition key formation associated with the opposed cam lugs 262 and 264of filter cartridge 240 illustrated in FIGS. 18-20. In total, excludingthe skeleton key formation which is not shown and is represented by thenumerical expression (1, 0, 0, 1) there are three available toothconfigurations for a four position key formation. Table 3 sets forth theavailable tooth configurations for the six position key formationassociated with the opposed cam lugs 362 and 364 of replaceable filtercartridge 340 as illustrated in FIGS. 28-41. In total, excluding theskeleton key formation which is not shown and is represented by thenumerical expression (1, 0, 0, 0, 0, 1) there are fifteen availabletooth configurations for a six position key formation. TABLE 1 ToothConfigurations (Four Positions) FIG. 1, 1, 1, 1 18 1, 1, 0, 1 19 1, 0,1, 1 20

TABLE 2 Tooth Configurations (5 positions) FIG. 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 21 1, 0,0, 1, 1 22 1, 0, 1, 0, 1 23 1, 1, 0, 1, 1 24 1, 1, 1, 0, 1 25 1, 0, 1,1, 1 26 1, 1, 0, 0, 1 27

TABLE 3 Tooth Configurations (6 positions) FIG. 1, 1, 1, 1, 1, 1 28 1,1, 0, 0, 0, 1 29 1, 1, 1, 0, 0, 1 30 1, 1, 1, 1, 0, 1 31 1, 0, 0, 0, 1,1 32 1, 0, 0, 1, 1, 1 33 1, 0, 1, 1, 1, 1 34 1, 1, 0, 0, 1, 1 35 1, 1,0, 1, 1, 1 36 1, 1, 1, 0, 1, 1 37 1, 0, 1, 1, 0, 1 38 1, 1, 0, 1, 0, 139 1, 0, 1, 0, 1, 1 40 1, 0, 1, 0, 0, 1 not shown 1, 0, 0, 1, 0, 1 notshown

In summary, the number of available tooth combinations “N” for a giventooth configuration having “n” tooth positions can be expressedmathematically as follows: N=2^(n−2)−1

The relatively large number of key configuration that are availablethough the keyed system of the subject disclosure will give originalequipment manufactures the ability to provide customized filters foreach of their appliances. Thus, each manufacturer could offer a uniqueset of replacement filter cartridge, with each cartridge in the sethaving a different keyed surface formation provided on the camming lugsthereof, for mating with corresponding reception areas in a valve membersupported within a particular type of appliance.

Referring to FIGS. 13-17, there are illustrated a series of replacementfilter cartridges constructed in accordance with a preferredrepresentative embodiment of the subject disclosure each having adifferent keyed surface formation associated therewith. For example,FIGS. 13, 14, 16 and 17 illustrate filter cartridges 403, 404, 406, and407, respectively, with cam lugs 463, 464, 466 and 467 having keyedsurface formations with portions that project both radially outwardlyfrom the lugs as well as in an axial direction. For example, cam lug 463in FIG. 13 includes two teeth 463 a, 463 b which project axially andradially from the lug. Cam lug 464 in FIG. 14 includes two axiallyprojecting teeth 464 a and 464 c and one tooth 464 b that project bothradially and axially. FIG. 16 illustrates a cam lug 466 having anenlarged radially and axially projecting tooth 466 a and a smalleraxially projecting tooth 466 b. Cam lug 467 in FIG. 17 includes twoaxially projecting teeth 467 a and 467 b and the majority of the cam lugitself project radially outwardly from the neck portion of the filtercartridge 407. In accordance with the subject disclosure, it followsthat a compatible rotary valve member would have recessed areas withmating features that correspond to the radially and axially extendingkeyed surface formations of cam lugs 463, 464, 466 and 467.

FIG. 15, illustrates another replacement filter cartridge 405constructed in accordance with a preferred representative embodiment ofthe subject disclosure wherein the keyed surface formation provided onthe cam lug 465 thereof is defined by a curved surface 465 a. Inaccordance with the subject disclosure, a compatible valve member forfilter cartridge 405 would have reception areas with correspondingcurved recesses to ensure compatibility with cartridge 405.

Referring to FIGS. 41-44, there is illustrated another replacementfilter cartridge constructed in accordance with a preferredrepresentative embodiment of the subject disclosure and designatedgenerally by reference numeral 540. Filter cartridge 540 includes threecam lugs 561, 562 and 563 that are circumferentially spaced apart aboutthe periphery of neck portion 546. Each cam lug has a keyed surfaceformation thereon for mating with a corresponding recessed area of acompatible rotary valve member 26. As illustrated in FIGS. 42-44, thekeyed surface formations of cam lugs 561-563 are derived from a fivetooth configuration (see Table 2), and each cam lug has a different keypattern formed thereon. In particular, cam lug 561 has a first keyedsurface formation that may be represented by the numerical expression(1, 0, 1, 0, 1), cam lug 562 has a second keyed surface formation thatmay be represented by the numerical expression (1, 0, 0, 1, 1), and camlug 563 has a third keyed surface formation that may be represented bythe numerical expression (1, 1, 0, 0, 1). It is also envisioned that camlugs 561-563 could each have the same keyed surface formation providedthereon.

Referring to FIGS. 45-49, there is illustrated another replacementfilter cartridge constructed in accordance with a preferredrepresentative embodiment of the subject disclosure and designatedgenerally by reference numeral 640. Filter cartridge 640 includes twosets of diametrically opposed cam lugs that include cam lugs 661-664.The first set of opposed cam lugs 661, 663 are positioned at a firstaxial height on neck portion 646, and the second set of opposed cam lugs662, 664 are positioned at a second axial height on neck portion 646. Inaddition, each cam lug has a keyed surface formation thereon for matingwith a corresponding recessed area of a compatible rotary valve member26. As illustrated in FIGS. 46-49, the keyed surface formations of camlugs 661-664 are derived from a five tooth configuration (see Table 2).Cam lugs 661 and 664 have the same keyed surface formation thereon thatmay be represented by the numerical expression (1, 0, 0, 1, 1), whilecam lugs 662 and 663 both have another keyed surface formation thereonthat may be represented by the numerical expression (1, 1, 0, 0, 1). Itis also envisioned that cam lugs 661-664 could each have the same keyedsurface formation provided thereon, or, in the alternative, each cam lugcould have a different keyed surface formation provided thereon.

Referring to FIGS. 50-51, there is illustrated another filter assemblyconstructed in accordance with a preferred representative embodiment ofthe subject disclosure and designated generally by reference numeral700. Filter assembly 700 includes a head portion 720 enclosing a rotaryvalve member 726 that has a mechanism for minimizing leakage duringcartridge replacement. The mechanism includes a floating check-ball 728and an associated valve seat 730. As shown in FIG. 51, during normalservice, when process fluid is flowing through the system, the outletflow pressure of the filtered fluid causes the check-ball 728 to remainin an unseated position. In contrast, when the neck portion 46 of areplacement filter cartridge 40 is removed from the interior bore ofvalve member 726, and the outlet flow pressure is terminated, thecheck-ball 728 becomes seated in valve seat 730, as shown in FIG. 51. Asa result, the void volume within head portion 720 is restricted fromflowing out of valve member 726.

Referring now to FIGS. 52-53, there is illustrated another filterassembly constructed in accordance with a preferred representativeembodiment of the subject disclosure and designated generally byreference numeral 800. Filter assembly 800 differs from the previouslydescribed representative embodiments of the subject disclosure in thatthe assembly does not include a rotary valve member, such as the valvemember 18 of filter assembly 10. Instead, as best seen in FIG. 53,filter assembly 800 includes a head portion 820 with an interior bore825 having a lower region 825 a configured to support an annular insertin the form of a key ring 818. Key ring 818 defines diametricallyopposed reception areas 802, 804 for mating with corresponding keyedsurface formations on the cam lugs 62, 64 formed on the neck portion 26of a replacement filter cartridge 40, for example. In accordance withthe subject disclosure, to ensure the integrity of the system with whichfilter assembly 800 is associated, a compatible replacement cartridgemust have cam lugs with keyed surface formations that mate with therecessed areas of the key ring 818.

Referring to FIG. 52, filter assembly 800 further includes a mountingbracket 816 having a support flange 870 depending therefrom forfacilitating rotational engagement of a replacement filter cartridge 40with head member 820 and the associated key ring 818. A central aperture875 extends through support flange 870 to receive the neck 46 of filtercartridge 40, and a pair of diametrically opposed cam raps 872 and 874project radially into central aperture 875 for operatively interactingwith the inclined lower surfaces of cam lugs 62, 64 when filtercartridge 40 is engaged with head portion 820. Support flange 870further includes a recessed seating area 876 defined by an annularretaining wall 878 configured to receive and retain the head portion820. More particularly, head portion 820 includes a pair ofdiametrically opposed ramped cam struts 882 and 884 for operativelyengaging a pair of diametrically opposed retention flanges 892 and 894projecting radially inwardly from the retaining wall 878. In addition,ratchet nibs 882 a and 884 a project outwardly from the lower region ofhead portion 820 for engagement within corresponding notches 892 a and894 a formed in retention flanges 892 and 894, respectively. Thoseskilled in the art will readily appreciate that the way in which headportion 820 and support flange 870 interact and engage may also beemployed in conjunction with the filter assembly 10 describedhereinabove, whereby head portion 20 and support flange 70 would beadapted and configured to interact and engage in a substantially similarmanner.

To assemble the filter assembly 800 of the subject disclosure, a keyring 818 having particular configuration of recesses, which may beselected from a set of key rings each having different recessconfigurations, is first inserted into the lower region 825 a ofinterior bore 825 of head potion 820. The head portion is then rotatablyengaged within the seating area 876 of support flange 870. Thereafter, afilter cartridge 40 is brought into approximation with the head portion820 by inserting the neck portion 46 of the cartridge through thecentral aperture 875 of support flange 870, allowing the camming lugs62, 64 to pass between the opposed cam ramps 872, 874 projectingradially into aperture 875. At such a time, the keyed surface formationsof the cam lugs 62, 64 mate with the corresponding recessed areas 802,804 in key ring 818, provided of course that the cartridge and key ringare compatible with one another. Once the cam lugs 62, 64 are mated withthe recessed areas 802, 804, the filter cartridge 40 is rotated throughan arc of approximately 90°, such that the inclined lower surfaces ofcam lugs 62, 64 translate relative to cam ramps 872, 874. This relativemovement causes the key ring 818 to rotate within interior bore region825 a and causes the neck portion 46 of filter cartridge 40 to moveaxially into the upper region 825 b of the interior bore 825 of headportion 820, until such time as the neck portion of the filter cartridgeis sealingly received therein.

It should be noted that provision is made such that key ring 818 willrotate through a limited travel range relative to the head portion 820as filter cartridge 40 is rotated into engagement with head portion 820.Furthermore, since a rotary valve member is not utilized with headportion 820, the upper region 825 b of interior bore 825 is dimensionedand configured to directly mate with the neck portion 46 of filtercartridge 40, such that the inlet port 52 in neck portion 46 is indirect fluid communication with the radial inlet port 812 of headportion 820 and the axial outlet port 54 in neck portion 46 is in directfluid communication with the radial outlet port 814 of head portion 820.

Referring now to FIGS. 54-64, there is illustrated yet another filterassembly constructed in accordance with a preferred representativeembodiment of the subject disclosure and designated generally byreference numeral 900. Similarly to filter assembly 10, filter assembly900 is configured for use in conjunction with a fluid processing systemthat includes an inlet conduit 912 for delivering unfiltered processfluid into the filter assembly and an outlet conduit 914 for deliveringfiltered process fluid from the filter assembly 900. Filter assembly 900is preferably mounted to a supporting structure associated with thefluid processing system by a bracket 916.

Referring to FIG. 54, filter assembly 900 includes a unique rotary valveassembly 918 that includes a head portion 920 defining an interiorchamber having an inlet port 922 for communicating with inlet conduit912 and an outlet port 924 for communicating with outlet conduit 914.Rotary valve assembly 918 further includes a valve member 926 configuredfor reception within the interior chamber of head portion 920 in such amanner so as to facilitate rotation of the valve member 926 relative tothe head portion 920 between an open position wherein fluid is permittedto flow through the filter assembly and a bypass position whereinunrestricted fluid flows through the filter head from inlet to outlet.(See FIGS. 59-60).

Valve member 926 includes an inlet orifice 932 for communicating withthe inlet port 922 of head portion 920 and an outlet orifice 934 forcommunicating with the outlet port 924 of head portion 920. (See FIG.61) The body of valve member 926 includes a recess 931 a, shown in FIG.61, surrounding the inlet orifice 932 for accommodating an O-ring seal931, also shown in FIG. 61, which serves to facilitate fluid-tightjunction of the inlet orifice 932 and the inlet port 922. The valvemember 926 also has a recess 933 a surrounding the outlet orifice 934for accommodating an O-ring seal 933, shown in FIG. 61, which serves tofacilitate fluid-tight junction of the outlet orifice 934 and the outletport 924. The body of the valve member 926 further includes a recess 938a for accommodating an O-ring seal 938 (See FIGS. 61-64). The O-ringseal 938 serves to facilitate sealing engagement of the valve member 926within the interior chamber of head portion 920 and to prevent leakageof the process fluid to atmosphere.

With continuing reference to FIG. 54, filter assembly 900 furtherincludes a replaceable filter cartridge 940 constructed in accordancewith a preferred representative embodiment of the subject disclosure.Filter assembly 900 is adapted and configured to ensure that replacementcartridge 940 is compatible with the fluid processing system with whichit is associated. Moreover, as discussed hereinbelow, the filtercartridge 940 and valve member 926 are provided with keyed matingstructures that ensure compatibility therebetween, and thus prevent theaccidental or intentional installation of an incompatible or inferiorreplacement cartridge, which could jeopardize the integrity of the fluidprocessing system.

Referring to FIGS. 54-56 and 61, replaceable filter cartridge 940includes a generally cylindrical body portion 942 enclosing filter mediafor filtering process fluid. Those skilled in the art will readilyappreciate that any one of a variety of different types of filter mediacould be enclosed within the body portion including, for example,pleated media, micro-fibers or carbon media. The body portion 942includes a top cap 944, which preferably forms an integral part of thebody portion 942. Alternatively, those skilled in the art will readilyappreciate that the top cap 944 and body portion 942 may be formedseparately and then joined together by sonic welding, spin welding orother similar methods known in the art. The top cap 944 has a neckportion 946 depending therefrom. The neck portion 946 of filtercartridge 940 is adapted and configured for reception within theinterior cavity of valve member 926 (See FIGS. 54, 56, 58-61) andincludes an upper section 946 a and a lower portion 946 b.

Referring again to FIG. 54, the neck portion 946 defines a plurality ofaxial passages 952. The upper section 946 a preferably also defines aplurality of sloped axially-aligned protrusions 951, which projectradially outwardly from the upper section 946 a, for dividing the flowof fluid entering the axial passages 952. Thus, in an exemplarypreferred representative embodiment of the subject disclosure,unfiltered process fluid enters the interior chamber of the valve member926 through the inlet orifice 932, flows between the protrusions 951 andthrough the axial passages 952, and then enters the body portion 942(see FIG. 55) of the filter cartridge 940. The upper section 946 afurther defines an axial outlet passage 954 for delivering filteredprocess fluid from the interior of body portion 942 to the interiorcavity of valve member 926 for egress through the outlet orifice 934 andthe port 924 out of the head portion 920.

Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that thedirection/orientation of the inlet and outlet passages in the neckportion 946 could be reversed. The inlet and outlet passages 952 and 954are sealingly isolated from one another by an upper O-ring seal 956positioned at the upper end of neck portion 946 (see FIG. 61). A secondlower O-ring seal 958 is positioned below the inlet of the radialpassages 952 to sealingly engage the neck portion 946 within theinterior chamber of the valve member 926 and prevent the leakage ofunfiltered process fluids from filter assembly 900 while in operation.

Referring to FIG. 54 in conjunction with FIGS. 56 and 58, a pair ofdiametrically opposed cam lugs 962 and 964 project radially outwardlyfrom the lower section 946 b of neck portion 946. Cam lugs 962 and 964are dimensioned and configured to facilitate rotational engagement ofthe filter cartridge within an intermediate support flange 970 thatdepends from mounting bracket 916. As best seen in FIG. 54, a centralaperture 975 extends through support flange 970 for receiving the neckportion 946 of filter cartridge 940. A pair of diametrically opposed camramps 972 and 974 project radially into central aperture 975 forinteracting with the lower surfaces of cam lugs 962 and 964. The camramps 972 and 974 are spaced from one another to allow the cam lugs 962and 964 to fit therebetween when the neck portion is extended throughaperture 975 during assembly. As best illustrated in FIG. 56, each camlug, 962 and 964, includes a leading inclined surface 963. Leadinginclined surface 963 is adapted and configured to facilitate rotationalengagement of the filter cartridge with the cam ramps 972 and 974 of thesupport flange 970, as illustrated in FIGS. 58-60 and 62-64.

Referring to FIGS. 54 and 61, support flange 970 further includes arecessed seating area 976 defined by annular retaining wall 978 andconfigured to receive and retain the head portion 920 of filter assembly900. Diametrically opposed arcuate retention ribs 982 and 984 projectinwardly from retaining wall 978 to frictionally engage withcorresponding engagement struts 992 and 994 (see FIG. 61) that projectradially outwardly from the lower region of head portion 920, when thehead portion 920 is rotatably engaged within the recessed seating area976 during assembly. In an alternate representative embodiment of thesubject disclosure, the head portion 920 and support flange 970 may beadapted and configured to cooperate and engage with one another in amanner described herein with respect to filter assembly 800 and asillustrated in FIGS. 52-53.

Similarly to filter assembly 10, and as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2,the annular retaining wall 978 of support flange 970 may be alsoconfigured to accommodate and support a shroud (not shown), such as theshroud 90, for housing and protecting the rotary valve assembly 918 offilter assembly 900. Also in a like manner to cam lugs 62 and 64 offilter assembly 10, see, e.g., FIGS. 2 and 3, cam lugs 962 and 964 (SeeFIGS. 54 and 56) may be adapted and configured for reception within apair of corresponding diametrically opposed reception areas 1002 and1004, best shown in FIG. 57, formed within the interior cavity 925 ofvalve member 926. As discussed in connection with other preferredrepresentative embodiments of the subject disclosure, the upper surfaceof each cam lug 962, 964 is provided with a unique key formation having,in this exemplary representative embodiment, a plurality of spaced apartaxially projecting teeth that are adapted and configured to engage andmate with a corresponding set of spaced apart recesses formed within thereception areas 1002 and 1004 of the valve member 926. This matingarrangement is designed to ensure replacement cartridge's compatibilityby only permitting replacement of a filter cartridge having a keyedsurface formation that corresponds to the surface features of thereception areas in the valve member.

In the exemplary representative embodiment of the disclosure illustratedin FIGS. 54-64, the key formation on each cam lug (962, 964) includesthree spaced apart teeth (962 a-962 c, 964 a-964 c). Otherconfigurations of the key formation may also be used, e.g., thosedescribed herein. Referring to FIG. 57, the exemplary representativeembodiment shown in FIGS. 54-64, the reception areas, 1002 and 1004,also include a rib member 1006. As discussed in greater detail withrespect to filter assembly 10, the two corresponding reception areaswould typically include corresponding recesses for each spaced aparttooth formed on the cam lugs. In this exemplary representativeembodiment of the subject disclosure, only a single recess is providedwith rib member 1006. This configuration for the reception areas is morerepresentative of a skeleton key formation. However, those skilled inthe art would readily appreciate that the reception area configurationspreviously disclosed with respect to alternative embodiments of thepresent disclosure can be applied to filter assembly 900.

As discussed in greater detail hereinbefore, the number of teeth thatdefine the key formation on each cam lug (962, 964) can vary within thescope of this disclosure (see for example FIGS. 18-40), as can thesurface geometry of the key formation (see for example FIGS. 13-17). Ineach instance, the reception areas (1002, 1004) in the rotary valvemember 926 would have a corresponding mating configuration toaccommodate the key formation formed on the cam lugs. Furthermore, it isenvisioned that the key configuration on one lug could be different fromthe key configuration of the opposed lug. This will dramaticallyincrease the number of possible key combinations available to a filtermanufacturer.

Referring to FIGS. 54-61, when a compatible filter cartridge isintroduced into the filter assembly 900, the neck portion 946 of thefilter cartridge 940 is inserted through the central aperture 975 ofsupport flange 970, with the cam lugs 962 and 964 positioned between thediametrically opposed cam ramps 972 and 974 (See FIG. 54). At such atime, the valve member 926 should be in the bypass position to receivethe neck portion 946 (See FIG. 60). In that position, the inlet andoutlet orifices 932, 934 of valve member 926 are not aligned with theinlet and outlet ports 922, 924 of head portion 920. In thatconfiguration, the process fluid entering the inlet port 922 flows intothe interior chamber of the head portion 920 and around the outersurface of the valve member 926. Sealing engagement of the valve member926 within the head portion 920, e.g., facilitated by the O-ring seal938, prevents leakage of the process fluid flowing around the valvemember 926 into atmosphere.

Referring to FIGS. 56, 58 and 62-64, thereupon, the teeth (962 a-962 c,964 a-964 c) forming the keyed engagement surface of cam lugs 962 and964 are positioned into the corresponding reception areas 1002 and 1004and are caused to mate therewith. During the insertion of neck portion946, trailing inclined surfaces 965 (See FIG. 56), which are associatedwith cam lugs 962 and 964, are adapted and configured for engagementwith inclined surfaces 1008 formed in reception areas 1002 and 1004. Theformation of trailing and leading inclined surfaces 963 and 965 on camlug 962 and 964 facilitates the rotational engagement of the filtercartridge 940 with the support flange 970 and the opening of valvemember 926.

Once the neck portion 946 of filter cartridge 940 has been intimatelyengaged within the interior cavity 925 of valve member 926, thecartridge and valve member may be rotated, e.g., presently preferably,in a counter-clockwise direction from the filter position illustrated inFIG. 59 to the bypass position illustrated in FIG. 60, with respect thesupport flange 970 and head portion 920. Upon rotating filter cartridge940 in conjunction with valve member 926, the cam lugs 962, 964projecting from neck portion 946 translate against the cam ramps 972,974, causing the filter cartridge 940 to move helically upwardly in anaxial direction. As a result, valve member 926 is rotated into the “on”or open position, wherein the inlet and outlet orifices 932, 934 of thevalve member 926 are aligned with the inlet and outlet ports 922, 924,respectively, of head portion 920 to allow fluid to flow through thefilter assembly 900. FIG. 61 illustrates an assembled filter assemblyaccording to an exemplary preferred representative embodiment of thesubject disclosure, wherein filter cartridge 940 is engaged with supportflange 970 and valve member 926 is in the open position.

If the cam lugs of a replacement filter cartridge introduced into thesystem are not configured to mate with the reception areas of the valvemember, i.e., if the cam lugs have no keyed surface formation, which maybe indicative of an unauthorized after-market filter cartridge, the camlugs will interfere with and be unable to engage the reception areas inthe valve member. Consequently, because the cam lugs 962, 964 will belocated below the inclined surfaces of the cam ramps 972, 974, the camlugs will be unable to traverse the cam ramps. As a result, the cam lugswill be unable to effect rotation of the valve member into the “on”position to permit fluid to flow through the assembly. This will ensurereplacement cartridge compatibility by preventing the use of inferior orunauthorized replacement filter cartridges.

Referring now to FIGS. 62-64, which illustrate the interaction of thecam lugs 962, 964 (opposite side, not shown) with the correspondingreception areas 1002 and 1004 formed in the interior cavity of valvemember 926. In FIG. 62 the neck portion 946 of filter cartridge 940 isfully inserted into the interior cavity 925 of valve member 926 and camlugs 962, 964 are positioned within reception areas 1002 and 1004. Uponimparting a clockwise rotation to filter cartridge 940, as shown inFIGS. 63-64, trailing inclined surfaces 965 contact inclined surfaces1008 formed in reception areas 1002, 1004 and slide along the inclinedsurfaces 1008, so that filter cartridge 940 is forced in a downwarddirection until it is disengaged from within the interior cavity 925 ofvalve member 926. At the same time, valve member 926 rotates from anopen position to a “bypass” position within head portion 920.Conversely, upon insertion of filter cartridge 940 into the interiorcavity of valve member 926, trailing inclined surfaces 965 contact theinclined surfaces 1008 formed in reception areas 1002. The inclinedsurfaces 965 slide along the inclined surfaces 1008 when the filtercartridge 940 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, so thatfilter cartridge 940 is forced to move in an upward direction andengagement with support flange 970 is, thus, facilitated.

Referring now to FIG. 65, there is illustrated another filter assemblyconstructed in accordance with a representative preferred embodiment ofthe present disclosure, which is designated generally by referencenumeral 1100. Filter assembly 1100 is used in conjunction with a fluidprocessing system that includes an inlet conduit 1112 for deliveringuntreated or unprocessed fluid to a replaceable filter/treatmentcartridge 1115, and an outlet conduit 1114 for carrying treated orprocessed fluid from the replaceable cartridge 1115. Filter assembly1100 is supported relative to the fluid processing system with which itis associated by a mounting bracket 1116, which may be hinged for easeof utilization. Inlet conduit 1112 and outlet conduit 1114 are orientedparallel to one another, and therefore, the filter assembly 1100 isparticularly adapted and configured to accommodate this configuration,as discussed in more detail below.

Referring to FIG. 66, filter assembly 1100 includes a head member 1118having an inlet passage 1120 and an outlet passage 1122. A connector1124 is provided at the terminal end of inlet conduit 1112 for operativeengagement with the inlet passage 1120 of head member 1118, and aconnector 1126 is provided at the terminal end of outlet conduit 1114for operative engagement with the outlet passage 1122 of head member1118. Head member 1118 includes opposed arcuate camming ramps 1128 a,1128 b, which cooperate with corresponding ramped camming surfacesdefined within an engagement aperture 1130 formed in the mountingbracket 1116 supporting filter assembly 1110. In use, rotation of headmember 1118 relative to aperture 1130 facilitates cooperativeinteraction between the camming ramps and camming surfaces to releasablyengage or otherwise mount the head member 1118 to bracket 1116.

Filter assembly 1100 further includes a valve member 1132, which isaccommodated within a valve chamber 1134 formed within head member 1118(see FIGS. 69 and 71). Similarly, valve member 1132 includes a centralreception bore 1133 for accommodating the neck portion 1135 of thereplaceable filter cartridge 1115 (see FIGS. 69 and 71). Valve member1132 is adapted and configured for rotation within valve chamber 1134between a filter mode/position (FIGS. 68 and 69) wherein untreated fluidis directed into the filter cartridge 1115 and a bypass mode/position(FIGS. 70 and 71) wherein fluid flow to the filter cartridge 1115 isprevented or otherwise blocked. In the bypass mode, the filter cartridge1115 can be conveniently removed from the filter assembly, discarded andreplaced. At such a time, because the inlet and outlet passage 1120,1122 of head member 1118 remain in fluid communication, untreatedprocesses fluid will continue to flow therebetween. Valve member 1132includes an inlet path 1136 and an outlet path 1138. In the filter mode,the inlet path 1136 of valve member 1132 communicates with the inletpassage 1120 of head member 1118, and the outlet path 1138 of valvemember 1132 communicates with the outlet passage 1122 of head member1118. At such a time, fluid may flow to and from the filter cartridge1115, as discussed in more detail below. In contrast, in the bypassmode, which is attained when the valve member 1132 is manually rotated aquarter turn or 90° from the position shown in FIGS. 68 and 69 to theposition shown in FIGS. 70 and 71, the inlet path 1136 of valve member1132 is moved out of communication with the inlet passage 1120 of headmember 1118 and the outlet path 1138 of valve member 1132 is moved outof communication with the outlet passage 1122 of head member 1118. Atsuch a time, fluid flow to and from the filter cartridge 1115 isprevented.

A seal member 1140 is operatively associated with valve member 1132, andmore particularly, the seal member 1140 is seated in a conforming orotherwise dimensionally corresponding seating area 1142 formed on orotherwise formed in the upper surface 1132 a of valve member 1132. Sealmember 1140 is positioned to provide a water-tight/air-tight sealagainst an opposing surface of valve chamber 1134, and is monolithicallyformed from an elastomeric material, such as for example, Neoprene or alike material.

As best seen in FIG. 67, seal member 1140 includes a plurality ofseparate sealing areas 1140 a-1140 d. Specifically, seal member 1140includes a first seal portion 1140 a of generally circularconfiguration, which is dimensioned to sealingly isolate the inlet path1136 of the valve member 1132, when the filter member is in the filtermode/position shown in FIGS. 68 and 69. Seal member 1140 includes asecond seal portion 1140 b of generally oval configuration, which isdimensioned to sealingly isolate the outlet path 1138 of the valvemember 1132, when the valve member is in the filter position. Astabilizing strut 1145 connects the generally circular seal portion 1140a to the generally oval seal portion 1140 b to add rigidity to the sealmember. The thickness of strut 1145 is less than the diameter of theseal portions connected thereby. Seal member 1140 includes a third sealportion 1140 c of generally triangular configuration, and a fourth sealportion 1140 d of generally triangular configuration. When the valvemember 1132 is in the bypass position shown in FIGS. 70 and 71, sealportions 1140 c, 1140 d sealingly isolate the inlet and outlet passage1120, 1122 of the head member 1118 from the atmosphere. In addition,seal portions 1140 c, 1140 d form a bypass flow path or trough whichallows the inlet and outlet passages 1120, 1122 to remain in fluidcommunication with one another. Consequently, untreated process fluidwill continue to flow between the inlet and outlet passages 1120, 1122of head member 1118.

Referring back to FIG. 66, the replaceable filter cartridge 1115includes a generally cylindrical sump 1150, which is dimensioned andconfigured to support a filter element 1152. In this instance, filterelement 1152 is an extruded carbon block element. However, other typesof filter elements can be employed without departing from the spirit orscope of the subject disclosure. For example, a pleated filter elementor a spiral wound filter element can be employed. It is furtherenvisioned that the cartridge 1115 need not take the form of a filter,but in the alternative it can take the form of a cartridge for providingan additive to a fluid stream or for otherwise conditioning a fluidsteam. Filter element 1152 has a central bore 1153, into which processedfluid flows. A closed or blind end cap 1154 is positioned at the bottomend of filter element 1152 and an open end cap 1156 is positioned at thetop end of filter element 1152. A freeze protection pad 1157 formed froma closed sell foam material is associated with end cap 1154.

End cap 1156 includes an outlet tube 1158, which communicates with thecentral bore 1153. A sump cover 1160 encloses the interior of sump 1150,and is spin welded or otherwise fastened or affixed to the upper end ofsump 1150. Sump cover 1160 includes a base portion 1162 from whichextends the neck portion 1135 of filter cartridge 1115. Neck portion1135 has a stepped construction defined by a lower, radially outer neckportion 1135 a and an upper, radially inner neck portion 1135 b. Anouter O-ring seal 1137 a surrounds the outer neck portion 1135 a and aninner O-ring seal 1137 b surrounds the inner neck portion 1135 b. Afluid inlet 1164 is formed between the outer neck portion 1135 a and theinner neck portion 1135 b. Fluid inlet 1164 delivers untreated fluidinto the interior of sump 1150. A fluid outlet 1166 is defined by theinner neck portion 1135 b. Fluid outlet 1166 delivers treated fluid fromthe central bore 1153 of filter element 1152 by way of the outlet tube1158 of end cap 1156.

As noted above, the neck portion 1135 of cartridge 1115 is accommodatedwith the interior bore 1133 of valve member 1132, as best seen in FIG.69. In particular, the central reception bore 1133 of valve member 1132includes a radially inner bore portion 1168 for sealingly isolating theoutlet port 1166 of filter cartridge 1115 and a radially outer boreportion 1170 for sealing isolating the inlet port 1164 of filtercartridge 1115.

As best seen in FIG. 66, a pair of diametrically opposed keyed camminglugs 1172 a, 1172 b depend radially outwardly from the outer neckportion 1135 a for cooperating with corresponding keyed engagementrecesses 1174 a, 1174 b in the same manner as described previouslyherein with other representative embodiments of the subject disclosure,wherein the lugs and the recesses have mating surfaces to prevent theuse of non-compatible filter cartridges within filtration assembly 1100.

Referring now to FIG. 69, when the valve member 1132 is disposed in thefilter position within the valve chamber 1134 of head member 1118,untreated fluid flows from the inlet conduit 1112 into the inlet passage1120 of head member 1118. The untreated fluid then flows through thecommunicating inlet path 1136 of valve member 1132 and into the inlet1164 in the neck portion 1135 a of filter cartridge 1115. Thereupon,untreated fluid fills the sump 1150 of filter cartridge 1115 and flowsradially inwardly through the carbon block filter element 1152 to thecentral bore 1154. Filtered fluid then flows from central bore 1154 ofthe filter element 1152, through the outlet tube 1158, to the outlet1166 in the neck portion 1135 b of filter cartridge 1115. The filteredfluid then flows through the outlet path 1138 of valve member 1132, intothe communicating outlet passage 1122 of head member 1118, and exits thefilter assembly 1100 by way of outlet conduit 1114. At this time, thefirst seal portion 1140 a of seal member 1140 sealingly isolates theinlet path 1136 of the valve member 1132, and the second seal portion1140 b of seal member 1140 sealingly isolate the outlet path 1138 of thevalve member 1132.

Referring now to FIG. 71, when the valve member 1132 (accompanied byfilter cartridge 1115) is rotated into or otherwise disposed in thebypass position within the valve chamber 1134 of head member 1118,untreated fluid is prevented or otherwise blocked from flowing from theinlet passage 1120 of head member 1118 to the inlet path 1136 of valvemember 1132. Similarly, the outlet path 1138 of valve member 1132 ismoved out of communication with the outlet passage 1122 of head member1118. At this time, the third and fourth seal portions 1140 c, 1140 d ofseal member 1140 sealingly isolate the inlet and outlet passages 1120,1122 of head member 1118 from the atmosphere. In addition, a flow pathis provided between the inlet and outlet passage 1120, 1122 of headmember 1118, which permits untreated process fluid to flow therebetween.At such as time, the replaceable filter cartridge 1115 can be removedfrom the valve member 1132 without loss of process fluid.

Although the disclosed fluid filtration apparatus has been describedwith respect to exemplary, representative, presently preferredembodiments, it is apparent that modifications and changes can be madethereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention asdefined by the appended claims.

1. A valve assembly for use in conjunction with a replaceable filtercartridge comprising: a) a head member having an interior valve chamberdefining a central axis, the head member having inlet and outletpassages which extend parallel to and communicate with the interiorvalve chamber; b) a valve member having an inlet path and an outlet pathand adapted for rotation within the interior valve chamber of the headmember between a filter position wherein the inlet path of the valvemember is in communication with the inlet passage of the head member anda bypass position wherein the inlet path of the valve member is out ofcommunication with the inlet passage of the head member; and c) a sealmember seated in an upper surface of the valve member and positioned toseal against an opposing surface of the interior valve chamber, whereinthe seal member is dimensioned and configured to sealingly isolateuntreated and treated fluid streams flowing through the inlet and outletpaths of the valve member, respectively, when the valve member is in thefilter position, and sealingly isolate the inlet and outlet passages ofthe head member from the atmosphere when the valve member is in thebypass position to permit fluid to flow therebetween.
 2. A valveassembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the valve member defines acentral reception bore configured to accommodate a neck portion of areplaceable filter cartridge, the neck portion having an inlet port andan outlet port.
 3. A valve assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein thecentral reception bore of the valve member includes a radially innerbore portion for isolating the outlet port formed in the neck portion ofthe replaceable filter cartridge.
 4. A valve assembly as recited inclaim 2, wherein the central reception bore of the valve member includesa radially outer bore portion for isolating the inlet port formed in theneck portion of the replaceable filter cartridge.
 5. A valve assembly asrecited in claim 2, wherein the neck portion of the replaceable filterincludes at least two camming lugs depending radially outwardlytherefrom, each lug having a keyed engagement surface, and wherein thecentral reception bore of the valve member includes at least tworeception recesses having mating surfaces defined therein for matingwith the keyed engagement surface of each camming lug.
 6. A valveassembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the seal member includes a firstseal portion dimensioned and configured to sealingly isolate the inletpath of the valve member and a second seal portion dimensioned andconfigured to sealingly isolate the outlet path of the valve member,when the valve member is in the filter position.
 7. A valve assembly asrecited in claim 1, wherein the seal member includes a third and fourthseal portions dimensioned and configured to sealingly isolate the inletand the outlet passage of the head member, when the valve member is inthe bypass position.
 8. A valve assembly as recited in claim 1, whereinthe seal member is a monolithically formed elastomeric structure.
 9. Avalve assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the upper surface of thevalve member includes a seating area dimensioned and configured toaccommodate the seal member.
 10. A valve assembly as recited in claim 6,wherein a stabilizing strut extends between the first and second sealportions of the seal member.
 11. A valve assembly as recited in claim 1,wherein the head member is adapted and configured to releasably engage asupporting structure.
 12. A valve assembly for use in conjunction with areplaceable filter cartridge comprising: a) a head member having aninterior valve chamber defining a central axis, the head member havinginlet and outlet passages which extend parallel to and communicate withthe interior valve chamber; b) a valve member having an inlet path andan outlet path and adapted for rotation within the interior valvechamber of the head member between a filter position wherein the inletpath of the valve member is in fluid communication with the inletpassage of the head member and the outlet path of the valve member is influid communication with the outlet passage of the head member, and abypass position wherein the inlet path of the valve member is out offluid communication with the inlet passage of the head member and theoutlet path of the valve member is out of fluid communication with theoutlet passage of the head member; and c) a seal member seated in anupper surface of the valve member and positioned to seal against anopposing surface of the interior valve chamber, the seal memberincluding first and second seal portions dimensioned and configured tosealingly isolate the inlet path and outlet path of the valve member,respectively, when the valve member is in the filter position, andincluding third and fourth seal portions dimensioned and configured tosealingly isolate the inlet passage and outlet passage of the headmember from the atmosphere to permit fluid to flow therebetween when thevalve member is in the bypass position.
 13. A valve assembly as recitedin claim 12, wherein the valve member defines a central reception boreconfigured to accommodate a neck portion of a replaceable filtercartridge, the neck portion having an inlet port and an outlet port. 14.A valve assembly as recited in claim 13, wherein the central receptionbore of the valve member includes a radially inner bore portion forisolating the outlet port formed in the neck portion of the replaceablefilter cartridge.
 15. A valve assembly as recited in claim 13, whereinthe central reception bore of the valve member includes a radially outerbore portion for isolating the inlet port formed in the neck portion ofthe replaceable filter cartridge.
 16. A valve assembly as recited inclaim 13, wherein the neck portion of the replaceable filter cartridgeincludes at least two camming lugs depending radially outwardlytherefrom, each lug having a keyed engagement surface, and wherein thecentral reception bore of the valve member includes at least tworeception recesses having mating surfaces defined therein for matingwith the keyed engagement surface of each lug.
 17. A valve assembly asrecited in claim 12, wherein the seal member is a monolithically formedelastomeric structure.
 18. A valve assembly as recited in claim 12,wherein the upper surface of the valve member includes a seating areadimensioned and configured to accommodate the seal member.
 19. A valveassembly as recited in claim 12, wherein the head member is adapted andconfigured to releasably engage a supporting structure.
 20. A valveassembly comprising: a) a head member having an interior valve chamberdefining a central axis, the head member having inlet and outletpassages which extend parallel to and communicate with the interiorvalve chamber; b) a valve member having inlet and outlet paths andadapted for movement within the interior valve chamber of the headmember between a first position wherein the inlet path of the valvemember is in communication with the inlet passage of the head member anda second position wherein the inlet path of the valve member is out ofcommunication with the inlet passage of the head member; and c) a sealmember seated in an upper surface of the valve member and positioned toseal against an opposing surface of the interior valve chamber, whereinthe seal member sealingly isolates the inlet and outlet paths of thevalve member when the valve member is in the first position, andsealingly isolates the inlet and outlet passages of the head member whenthe valve member is in the second position to permit fluid to flowtherebetween.